Relationship Between Serum Uric Acid Levels and Kidney Allograft Function Within the First Year Post-Transplantation

Background: Hyperuricemia negatively impacts cardiovascular health in patients with chronic kidney disease and kidney transplant recipients. Lowering serum uric acid has been associated with improved outcomes following kidney transplantation. This study investigated the relationship between serum uric acid levels and kidney allograft function in transplant recipients.Methods: This retrospective, single-center cohort study included kidney transplant recipients within 12 months post-transplantation. Hyperuricemia was defined as a serum uric acid level greater than 7 mg/dL. The primary outcomes were the difference in allograft function between the hyperuricemia and normal uric acid group and the correlation between serum uric acid levels and kidney allograft function, measured by estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) at 6 and 12 months post-transplant.Results: A total of 134 patients were included in the study. By 6 months post-transplant, 50% of patients had developed hyperuricemia, with the majority being male. Serum uric acid levels were significantly and inversely correlated with eGFR at both 6 and 12 months. Although the hyperuricemia group showed a trend toward greater eGFR decline compared to the normal uric acid group, the between-group differences did not reach statistical significance. Nevertheless, eGFR values at both 6 and 12 months were substantially lower in the hyperuricemia groupConclusions: The association between hyperuricemia and reduced kidney allograft function within the first year after transplantation was suggested. Further research is needed to determine whether elevated uric acid directly contributes to graft dysfunction or reflects declining kidney function.